Mike Coulter

In the news...

What the heck is going on in the world of mixed martial arts?

Over the last few days, this sport has endured two events that have left me utterly perplexed.

Story 1: Michael Jackson attends UFC 84
Baseball has Billy Crystal and Bill Murray. Jessica Simpson and Matt Damon have been seen in the stands for NFL contests. Basketball keeps us entertained with Eva Longoria and Jack Nicholson. Even hockey can pull the likes of Kid Rock.

Now, MMA has Wacko Jacko.

True to form, the Skeletor-looking pop star showed up in a wheelchair and a burka-like ensemble that left only his eyes exposed... those, of course, he covered with a pair of super dark sunglasses.

Truly bizarre. Truly confusing. I mean, MMA of all things? Is it possible that Michael Jackson is starting to take interest in normal activities?

Maybe Jackson has been forced to start growing up since leaving the Neverland Ranch. It has been a couple years since a childish M.J. left the mansion behind, so if we play by Peter Pan rules, he might finally be reaching the maturity level of a teenager. Now, if the teenager he becomes is still a boy, it might easily become interested in the violence and showmanship that MMA provides.

Aww... Little Mikey has outgrown his pet monkey and ferris wheel. Who’s our big skull-faced man?

Story 2: MMA fighter poops his pants in the ring
Fred Mitchell literally “beat the crap” out of Corey Wethey during a small-time fight in Louisiana on Monday. According to thetowntalk.com, Mitchell struck his opponent so hard with a knee to the body that Wethey immediately lost control of his bowels.

Mitchell said that he began to smell something foul after delivering the blow, and that the smell continued to worsen as the match went on. At one point, Mitchell removed his mouth piece to alert the ring official. “He s--- himself,” Mitchell said repeatedly to the stunned referee.

You can’t write this stuff... and still, the worst is yet to come.

While Mitchell was pleading with the official, Wethey regained the advantage, and locked Mitchell's head between his thighs.
Wow. I knew these MMA guys were tough... but that seems a little extreme. How about a couple new rules? If you crap your trunks, you have to tap out. If you’re wrestling with a guy who does his business, you are allowed to run away, screaming like a little girl, and jump over the fence.

The incident required a 10-minute intermission while officials scrubbed down the ring. Mitchell went on to win the fight by Wethey's disqualification.

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From the Blogosphere...

The Bong Show has set himself up as the Community's new disciplinarian and giver of knowledge. Anytime you encounter a troublesome member, just send them Bong's way. His blog is full of handy links and pictures that are sure to reform even the most hardened troll.

Has Kobe reformed his image? Jesse James says that the MVP has done a lot to help the cause this season. Read about his revelation.

Resident ranker dantheman4250 gives us his "very early" NFL power rankings. Could the Dolphins be at No. 6? No.

In the news...

So, the possible Triple Crown winner has a crack in his hoof.

The horses’ trainer and a hoof-specialist have said that the injury isn't a big deal, but they haven’t really addressed the possibility of causing further damage by racing a horse with a cracked hoof.

It begs the question... What happens if Big Brown goes down?

After Eight Belles was put down immediately following a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, I’ve got to think that any in-race injury would spell a near-collapse for the world of horse racing.

I’ll admit that I’m no equine expert, but from what I understand, I’m not sure why they would even run Big Brown in this situation. I mean, the horse is already drawing ungodly stud money. Why risk it?

I’m sure the honest answer would be “more money.” Aside from the winnings and wagers, that stud fee would continue to skyrocket if Big Brown were to win the Belmont.

It’s probably why everyone involved with the horse continues to tow the company line. “He’s fine. He’s been angry because he hasn’t been practicing as much. The horse loves to run. The horse loves to have its picture taken. The horse is in no pain.”

That last one is kind of funny, actually. Right after hoof expert Ian McKinlay said that the horse isn’t in any pain, he went on to compare the injury to a finger nail cracked all the way up to the cuticle.

McKinlay even said, “You know how sensitive it is by the cuticle.”

Um, yeah... I do. And I damn sure wouldn’t want to keep tapping my finger if it felt like that.

As much as I want to see a Triple Crown winner, I hope they decide to keep Brown in the barn for this one. Thoroughbreds’ hooves are so fragile as it is, a horse in pain could seriously injure itself, the jockey or any other horse or rider on the track.

Don’t give them another excuse to destroy horse racing.

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From the Blogosphere...

How much impact does an MLB manager have on the outcome of a game? Apparently, not enough for us to crucify Willie Randolph... or at least that's what MetsRChamps is telling us in his latest blog.

On Sunday, Mikeyfan1599 made his way to Charlotte for the 600. Now, one of the site's top race fans brings us his thoughts on the performance of Michael Waltrip Racing.

MVKrum takes his shot at some preseason NFL power rankings. Jags at No. 4?!

In the news...

Hallelujah! The Major League Baseball Players Association has finally taken a step in the right direction when it comes to drug testing.

Stop laughing, I’m being serious here.

On the last possible day for ratification, the players approved a deal which calls for an increase in the frequency of tests and in the authority of the program's independent administrator.

In return for the players’ approval, Bud Selig agreed to rescind suspensions against two players, and to not discipline any player implicated in the Mitchell Report. Of course, this agreement comes under increasing pressure from lawmakers to improve drug testing, or face legal action.

From the sound of it, the baseball establishment has been forced in to an uneasy truce... but it’s a truce none the less and, at this point, I’ll take it.

Anything that moves in the direction of fully-independent testing is exactly what MLB needs to be doing right now, and I’ve got to applaud Selig for getting it done. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the commissioner actually did the right thing by meeting the players’ demands.

As much as I hate seeing the players manipulate the “absolute” power that baseball’s commissioner is supposed to wield, bargaining skills have become an essential part of today’s game.

Besides, I could care less if every last Mitchell Report suspect is tracked down.

Most of the players in the Mitchell Report are nobodies, anyway. “Names”, like Wally Joyner, David Justice and Mo Vaughn are already starting to fade in to baseball obscurity.

As for the few superstars on that list... Well, let’s just say that I don’t think Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds will be getting in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, if at all.

Even if they do, they will join the Pete Rose’s and Joe Jackson’s of the world... Destined to be remembered more for their transgressions then for their play on the field.

We, as fans, know where we stand. We know what happened to America’s game, and we’ve already decided who’s clean and who’s dirty.

Yep, Bud did a good job by keeping the blood hounds in the yard on this one. Maybe this signals a turning point. Maybe we can finally stop ripping baseball down, and start putting it back together again.

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From the Blogosphere...

The Angels have just finished taking two out of three from the Toronto Blue Jays, and now head to Chicago to take on the scorching hot White Sox. Still, HALOS02 thinks that, if his boys can shut down Chicago's long ball, they should be able to win the series.

Who's your favorite NFL player NOT on your favorite team? Let koala know.

Duckplucker tells us why instant replay has no place in America's pastime. He's right, too. What are we going to do... remove the entire human element?